Governor Eliot Spitzer and Assistant Secretary for Criminal Justice and Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Denise E. O’Donnell today called on Congress to reverse cutbacks to a federal aid program that helps state and local governments fight crime. The cuts will cost New York State $17 million in criminal justice funding in 2008, and put at risk hundreds of local projects that have contributed to New York State’s historic reductions in crime. The Governor and Commissioner sent a letter to the New York Congressional Delegation asking for their support in reinstating the Byrne JAG funding in the upcoming supplemental appropriations bill.

The final 2008 omnibus appropriations bill included a 67 percent reduction for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program, a cut from $520 million to just $170 million. Byrne JAG funds support multi-jurisdictional drug and gang task forces, substance abuse prevention and treatment programs, crime victim support programs, community corrections, rehabilitation, offender reentry and juvenile justice programs. At least 75 percent of every Byrne JAG dollar goes directly to local sheriffs’ and police departments.

“This funding has been a virtual lifeline for many essential programs in New York, ranging from crime-fighting initiatives of the State Police to services for victims of sexual assault,” said Governor Spitzer. “Every community in this state benefits, in one way or another, from this federal program. It provides assistance to everything from prosecution and defense programs to youth courts to maintenance of the DNA databank. It is absolutely crucial that these funds are reinstated and I strongly urge Congress to restore this funding so we can continue our progress in fighting crime throughout the state.”

Commissioner Denise O’Donnell said: “Our success in fighting crime shows that we need to continue what we are doing, not cut back or rest on our laurels. This funding is an indispensable component of our comprehensive crime-fighting program, which has proven to be successful. State and local jurisdictions depend on this program to provide critical funds used to fight violence and drugs and to support crime victims. We are calling on the federal government to reverse course and restore the funding.”

The cut to Byrne JAG shocked the law enforcement community because the House and Senate initially funded the program at $600 million and $660 million, respectively. An initiative of the U.S. Department of Justice, JAG helps state and local governments fight violent crime, break the cycle of drug abuse and make neighborhoods safer for residents and businesses. The FY08 omnibus appropriations bill was signed by President Bush on Dec. 26.

In the last Byrne JAG funding cycle, New York State supported 237 projects. As a direct result of the funding: regional and local drug enforcement task forces made nearly 3,000 arrests and seized more than $7 million in assets; over 16,000 children received drug abuse prevention education, gang awareness training and anti-violence instruction; license plate readers read nearly 900,000 license plates, resulting in the recovery of dozens of guns and stolen vehicles and the identification of 31 wanted individuals; and nearly 300 parolees participated in programs providing substance abuse treatment, employment training and placement, mental health counseling, family assistance and other services.

Earlier this year, FBI crime figures showed that New York was the safest large state in the country in 2006, and the fifth safest overall, trailing only South Dakota, New Hampshire, North Dakota and Vermont. Additionally, DCJS reports that crime is down about five percent for the first six months of 2007, led by double digit decreases in rapes, robberies and motor vehicle theft.